GTA V online - joining friends sessions

Ok so...

When I sign into my account and load up GTA V Online, I load into an ‘Online session’, which is usually fine and contains around 20 online players. However, when I join a friend’s session via invite or the ‘join friend’s session’ option on GTA, it either
takes me to the Microsoft store (where it advertises the game) or a notification pops up which says that no sessions with friends in have been found. I also tried signing into my friend’s xbox account which was also doing the same thing.

I have bought the game twice previously on other xboxes and feel as though this might have something to do with the problem I am experiencing. I also have game pass and have considered the fact that the game I am playing isn’t actually owned by me - although
I have bought it twice in the past.

Could this possibly be an issue with Xbox or Rockstar? I hope to have this solved asap.

Thanks

:)